Chapter 595: His Majesty’s Decision

The Royal Audience Chamber had been prepared for a gathering considerably smaller than the formal assemblies usually held before the throne.

A long conference table occupied the center of the chamber, surrounded by chairs reserved for the principal negotiators involved in the Adventurer Guild’s proposed Royal Charter.

At the far end, beneath the golden crest of House Alden, sat King Edmund III.

The King was approaching his seventh decade, and more than thirty years of ruling Westmark had left their marks upon his appearance.

His once-dark hair had become predominantly silver, and fine wrinkles surrounded his eyes. Nevertheless, his posture remained upright, and his gaze was sharp as he examined the documents arranged before him.

Sage entered alongside Lucan and Boren, following Crown Prince Richard into the chamber. Minister Aldous Pembroke, Lord Chancellor Alistair Fenwick, and several senior royal advisers were already present.

The opposing interests were represented by Lord Geoffrey Lancaster, Count Leopold von Rabenfeld, and Lord Percival Harcourt. Duke Roland Auremont had also been invited to attend as the principal noble sponsor of the Charter’s legal review.

After the customary greetings, Edmund gestured toward the available seats.

"Be seated," the King instructed, his voice carrying easily across the chamber. "I’ve read enough reports concerning this Adventurer Guild to occupy several afternoons. Today, I intend to hear directly from the people responsible for those reports."

Everyone took their places.

Edmund opened the consolidated Charter draft and examined its first page.

"Guildmaster Sage," Edmund began, turning his attention toward him. "Your organization has expanded considerably since its establishment in Evergreen. You now operate facilities in Kingsford, administer numerous dungeons, and maintain a growing membership of independent Warriors."

Sage inclined his head respectfully.

"That’s correct, Your Majesty."

Edmund continued, "You are requesting legal recognition that would allow the Guild to establish branches throughout Westmark while retaining authority over its internal administration. You also want protection for your dungeon arrangements and commercial operations."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sage answered. "Subject to the Kingdom’s applicable laws and the obligations established in the Charter."

The King studied him for several moments.

"Then tell me why I should grant such extensive independence to an organization that already possesses considerable financial resources and employs the services of powerful combatants," Edmund asked. "What prevents the Guild from becoming an institution too influential for the Crown to regulate?"

The question was direct, and Sage appreciated that the King had chosen to address the central concern without unnecessary ceremony.

"Your Majesty, the Charter doesn’t place the Guild beyond royal authority," Sage replied. "It establishes which decisions belong to our internal administration and which remain subject to the Kingdom’s laws. Those are different matters."

Edmund raised an eyebrow.

"Explain the distinction."

Sage rested his hands upon the table.

"The Guild should decide whom to appoint as its administrators, how to classify missions, and how to manage its members," Sage explained. "But if we violate property laws, fail to meet lawful financial obligations, or create public safety problems, the appropriate authorities should be able to investigate and enforce the law."

Lord Geoffrey Lancaster leaned forward.

"Your Majesty, the difficulty is that the Guild’s internal decisions can have consequences extending far beyond its own facilities," Geoffrey interjected respectfully. "An organization controlling numerous dungeons and attracting powerful Warriors could influence entire regional economies."

Edmund turned toward him.

"I’m aware of that concern, Lord Geoffrey. What specific authority do you believe the Crown would lack under the proposed Charter?"

Geoffrey opened his copy of the document.

"The Crown would possess limited influence over senior Guild appointments and major operational decisions," Geoffrey answered. "House Lancaster believes stronger supervisory powers would provide necessary safeguards."

Edmund glanced toward the section concerning internal administration.

"Would the proposed supervisory council possess authority to reject the Guild’s appointments?"

"Under our original proposal, yes, Your Majesty," Geoffrey acknowledged.

The King considered the answer before looking toward Sage.

"And you rejected that arrangement?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Sage replied. "If outside officials can decide who manages our departments, they can interfere with the Guild’s operations without proving that we’ve violated any law. That’s political control rather than legal accountability."

Edmund tapped the document lightly.

"An institution can obey the law and still make decisions harmful to the Kingdom," Edmund observed. "Surely you recognize that possibility."

Sage nodded.

"I do, Your Majesty. But that possibility exists for merchant associations, noble households, and other organizations as well. If a particular activity threatens public interests, the Kingdom can establish lawful regulations governing that activity. It doesn’t necessarily need to appoint the people running the organization."

The King remained silent for a moment before turning toward Lord Chancellor Alistair.

"Does the revised Charter preserve the Crown’s authority to investigate misconduct and enforce applicable legislation?" Edmund asked.

Alistair adjusted his spectacles.

"It does, Your Majesty," the Chancellor answered. "The latest draft recognizes lawful inspections, financial obligations, territorial regulations, and established judicial remedies. However, several provisions concerning suspension and revocation would benefit from more precise wording."

Edmund nodded.

"Then those provisions will require attention."

He turned toward Richard.

"Now, Richard. You’ve been the principal royal supporter of this proposal. Explain what the Kingdom gains from granting the Guild recognition."

Richard straightened in his chair.

"Your Majesty, the Guild provides a means of organizing capable independent Warriors without requiring the Crown to maintain them as permanent military personnel," Richard began. "Its established procedures allow authorities and private clients to commission services while leaving the Guild responsible for administering the assignments."

Edmund gestured for him to continue.

"The Marrowford crisis demonstrated those advantages," Richard explained. "After repeated monster attacks disrupted the eastern trade road, the Guild accepted a reconnaissance commission through its ordinary procedures. The Ironwood Party investigated the affected area and identified the threat. That information allowed us to authorize an appropriate extermination mission, which qualified Adventurers subsequently completed."

The King examined the Marrowford report.

"The road was reopened?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Richard answered. "And the operation was completed without requiring the Royal Army to undertake a prolonged deployment. The Guild’s involvement also helped resolve a problem that had been complicated by disagreements between territorial authorities."

Edmund looked toward Pembroke.

"Minister, were the commissions conducted within the established legal framework?"

"They were, Your Majesty," Pembroke confirmed. "The Royal Administrative Council examined the matter after objections were raised. The Guild operated under lawful commissions, and the resulting reports were submitted through the appropriate channels."

Edmund nodded thoughtfully.

"So the arrangement proved useful without placing the Guild under direct military command."

"Precisely, Father," Richard replied. "That independence is part of what makes the organization effective. Excessive administrative interference could undermine the advantages we’re trying to preserve."

The King returned his attention to the Charter.

For several minutes, he examined the sections concerning regional branches, Adventurer registration, and emergency cooperation.

"Your emergency provisions are interesting," Edmund remarked. "The Guild agrees to cooperate with lawful authorities during national crises, but membership doesn’t automatically constitute military enlistment."

"That’s correct, Your Majesty," Sage answered. "Adventurers remain subject to obligations imposed by Westmark’s general laws. We simply don’t believe joining the Guild should create an additional compulsory military obligation."

Edmund nodded.

"A reasonable distinction, provided the Guild doesn’t obstruct lawful mobilization or emergency measures."

"It won’t, Your Majesty," Sage assured him.

The King then opened the section concerning dungeon operations.

Count Leopold straightened immediately.

"Now we come to the matter that appears to have caused the greatest disagreement," Edmund observed. "Count Leopold, your coalition requests a numerical restriction upon the dungeons operated by independent organizations."

Leopold inclined his head.

"Yes, Your Majesty. We believe unrestricted concentration of dungeon resources could damage established territorial interests and threaten the economic stability of smaller owners."

Edmund examined the proposed restriction.

"Why this particular number?"

Leopold hesitated.

"It represents what our coalition considers a reasonable limitation, Your Majesty."

The King looked up.

"That wasn’t my question, Count. I asked how the number was determined."

Leopold shifted slightly in his chair.

"Our members considered the Guild’s current expansion and the potential consequences for existing dungeon owners."

Edmund regarded him steadily.

"Then you’ve assessed the commercial consequences for your members. Have you established that the proposed limit is necessary for public safety, territorial administration, or the Kingdom’s economic stability?"

Leopold lowered his gaze briefly.

"Not through a comprehensive Kingdom-wide assessment, Your Majesty."

Edmund placed the proposal aside.

"Then I won’t impose a numerical restriction upon one organization merely because its competitors consider its growth inconvenient," Edmund declared. "If Westmark requires broader regulations concerning dungeon concentration, those regulations should be examined separately and applied according to defensible standards."

Sage maintained a composed expression, although he was pleased by the decision.

Geoffrey Lancaster remained silent as the King continued.

"That doesn’t mean the Guild receives unrestricted rights over dungeons," Edmund added, turning toward Sage. "Every future agreement must respect lawful ownership, territorial authority, and applicable safety requirements. I won’t permit a Royal Charter to become an instrument for disregarding the rights of my subjects."

"I wouldn’t ask for that, Your Majesty," Sage replied.

Duke Roland Auremont finally spoke.

"Your Majesty, that distinction corresponds with the recommendations produced during House Auremont’s legal review," Roland stated. "The Charter can recognize the Guild’s lawful operations without creating privileges that override existing property rights."

Edmund nodded toward the elderly Duke.

"I’ve read your advisers’ recommendations, Roland. They’ve been useful."

The King continued reviewing the remaining provisions, occasionally questioning Sage, Richard, or the legal officials concerning their practical consequences.

He examined the procedures for appealing arbitrary regional decisions, the obligations surrounding financial audits, and the legal continuity of the Charter after a change of monarch.

Eventually, Edmund closed the document.

The chamber fell quiet.

"I can see why this matter has occupied so much of the council’s attention," the King remarked. "The Adventurer Guild possesses considerable potential, but granting it formal recognition will establish an important precedent."

He looked toward Sage.

"Your organization may provide valuable services throughout Westmark. However, its privileges must remain compatible with royal authority, territorial rights, and the Kingdom’s laws."

Sage inclined his head.

"I understand, Your Majesty."

Edmund rested his hands upon the table.

"Then here is my decision," the King announced. "I am prepared to approve the Adventurer Guild’s Royal Charter in principle."

Richard’s expression relaxed slightly, while Boren and Lucan exchanged a brief glance.

However, Edmund raised one hand before anyone could respond.

"That approval isn’t final," Edmund continued. "Several provisions require amendment before I will authorize the Charter’s issuance. In particular, I want clearer procedures concerning legal enforcement, the limits of extraordinary intervention, and the circumstances under which the Charter itself may be amended or revoked."

He turned toward Lord Chancellor Alistair.

"Prepare a written list of the required changes and deliver it to the Guild’s representatives," Edmund instructed. "Once those amendments have been negotiated and incorporated into the final document, I will examine it again."

Alistair bowed his head.

"At once, Your Majesty."

Edmund returned his attention to Sage.

"Guildmaster, you’ve convinced me that your organization deserves serious consideration," the King stated. "Now demonstrate that its independence can endure without weakening the laws that govern this Kingdom."

Sage met the King’s gaze and nodded.

"I intend to do exactly that, Your Majesty."